subject: A Closer Look at MSXML [print this page] A Closer Look at MSXML A Closer Look at MSXML
MSXML is short for Microsoft XML Core Services. It features a set of services which enable applications written in VBScript, Jscript and Microsoft development tools. It is used for building Windows-native XML-based applications. The service supports the following:
? DOM
? XML 1.0
? SAX
? XSLT 1.0 processor
? XML schema support such as XDR and XSD
? other XML-related technologies.
Technically, all types of MSXML products are the same. They are all programmatically exposed as COM or Component Object Model object. This makes it possible for developers to program against such objects from C++ or VBScript, Jscript and other script languages. Only Managed.NET Interop having MSXMLCOM components are not supported or even recommended.
Similar to other COM components, MSXML objects are instantiated programmatically by ProgID or CLSID. This means, every version of MSXML is capable of exposing its own ProgIDs and CLSIDs.
MSXML is also capable of supporting version-independent ProgIDs. This is since these ProgIDs don't have version numbers associated with them. Different MSXML versions also support not-so-different sets of functionality.
Versions of MSXML
Since MSXML comes with distinct products that are released as well as supported by Microsoft, below are some product versions.
For the current versions, this includes the following:
? MSXML 3.0 - This version is still a current MSXML product. It is represented by msmxl3.dll. For the MSXML 3.0 SP2, it was shipped with Internet Explorer 6.0, MDAC 2.7 and Windows XP. For Windows 9x, it is supported by MSXML 3.0 SP7. MSXML 3.0 SP10 is shipped with Windows Vista.
? MSXML 4.0 - This version is shipped as a downloadable, independent SDK. It is targeted at third parties and Independent Software Vendors. Though this version is an upgrade from MSXML 3, it cannot replace it due to legacy features. Both versions 3 and 4 can run concurrently. Last March 2009, the MSXML 4.0 SP3 was released. As for its SP2, the support expired last April 2010.
? MSXML 6.0 - This is the latest from Microsoft. It is shipped with Visual Studio 2005, Microsoft SQL Server 2005, Windows Vista, .NET Framework 3.0, Windows XP Service Pack 3, Windows 7. It can also support native 64-bit environments. This version is an upgrade; however, it cannot replace versions 3 and 4 because of legacy features that it cannot support. You can install and run this version with versions 3 and 4 concurrently. Take note that this version is not supported by Windows 9x. MSMXL 6.0 SP2 comes bundled with Windows XP SP3.
